Autoblog

In London, the black cab has instant recognition, cult appeal, a 25-foot turning circle, Euro IV emissions clearance, and drivers behind the wheel who don't earn their licenses until they've memorized the contents of a book simply called The Knowledge. Now, thanks to an unnamed buyer, the black cab also has a pink paint job.

LTI Vehicles produces London's trademark people mover, the current model being the TX4. LTI will make the cabs in any color, and this particular buyer decided to test that proposition, requesting a one-off version in candyfloss pink. The 4-man paint shop team mixed to order, and Mike McKenzie, one of the painters, called it "the most outlandish" cab they've done so far. The interior remains a muted black, so if you ever get a ride in it, only those on the outside will see how pretty you look in pink. The buyer paid a surcharge for the special color -- but the question is: would you?

[Source: LTI]

The latest cab to roll off the production line of Coventry firm LTI Vehicles isn't so much back in black as pretty in pink.

Staff at the Holyhead Road manufacturer received an order for one of their new TX4 cabs but the London-based customer had one condition - it had to be in candyfloss pink.

The paint shop team which comprised of Steve Everton, Mike McKenzie, David Fry and Glynn Spencer, rolled up their sleeves and mixed paint to fulfil the unusual request.

Steve Everton the Cell Leader said: "We laughed when we first got the order but immediately got to work mixing the colours. We're really pleased with the final result and it's created a real stir in the factory. I dare say it will create a stir on the streets of London as well."

The factory can produce cabs of any colour thanks to the expertise of the staff, but never before have they been asked to produce a pink cab.

Now the cab joins the ranks of other famous pink cars, such as Lady Penelope's FAB 1 and the pink Cadillac from the Clint Eastwood film of the same name.

A group of American students from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania recently visited the LTI factory and the female students were delighted by the eye-catching vehicle.

Mike McKenzie said: "We are sometimes asked to produce special colours but this one is the most outlandish. We have had a lot of fun working on this one - not exactly my choice but my daughter loves it."

The pink cab is a rare one-off special order that the customer had to pay an additional amount for the particular paint colour. LTI already offers the famous taxi in twelve different colours.

The TX4 was launched by LTI Vehicles in October 2006 to widespread acclaim.
The cab has retained the instantly recognisable shape of its predecessors but boasts a distinctive restyled front grille, cleaner Euro IV compatible VM engine, anti-local brakes as standard and remodelled suspension.

For further information about LTI Vehicles and its more conventional range of TX4's visit www.lti.co.uk.